Electrical fire disables Bell Island ferry

Bell Island residents who use the island's ferry service to get to work in St. John's will be facing further delays this week.
The Bell Island Users Committee just received a commitment from the provincial government Friday to restore an early 7:20 a.m. run, but that decision has since been deferred.
An electrical fire onboard the Nonia, which has been replacing the disabled Beaumont Hamel in recent weeks, means the service is now down to only one ferry.
Ed Kent, consultant and spokesman for the committee, said the Nonia left Bell Island around 11:10 p.m. Thursday to dock for the night in Portugal Cove, but while at sea an electrical fire broke out onboard the ferry. The Nonia lost power and was disabled.
The Flanders was dispatched to sea on an emergency basis to transfer the crew from the Nonia, which is now disabled and docked at Bell Island.
Kent said efforts are being made to speed up repairs to the Beaumont Hamel and return it to the Bell Island service by mid-week.
In the meantime, the Flanders will be sailing solo on a load and go schedule.

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dawn

July 02, 2010 - 13:34

I agree with Chris..these junky old ferries..why not build a bridge over there, it is not very far at all ..be over there in a couple of mins..probably even build a casino over there..i think it would be a win win for everybody!!

A fixed link to Bell Island would definitely increase traffic to and from that island because of ease of access. A casino would be a great idea for Bell Island to pay for the bridge, the road upgrades for that increased traffic and the extra development in infrastructure to support the growth which will surely occur. Also, if we build a fixed link to Bell Island, then we can take the unused ferries and use them in a ferry service to Kelly's Island. I'd be the first one to build a house there. I want to live on a small isolated island out in some bay like everyone else.

I've got a better idea. Over the next 5-10 years the province should provide financial assistance to anyone who wishes to move off that godforsaken island. After that, anyone left there is on their own. You want ferry service or a fixed link? Lots of luck.

I'm fed up listen to these Bell Islanders and every other Island around NL whining all the time about the ferry service. I think it's time to finish off what Joey forgot to do and that's resettle every Island around NL. and save the Gov't 100's of million of dollars annually. If I owned a business in St. John's or surrounding areas I would never hire some one from Bell Island. Not that their bad people but you never know if they are going to get into work because of unreliable ferry service.

There is a task force being struck to explore the feasibilty of having a fixed link to the local mainland. Our existing fleet will require replacement in next 5-10 years, if not sooner. If a fixed link were built, government would save on the subsidy currently paid as well as the many other cost savings to be gained by not having to provide our community with two ferries. The savings alone will pay for the cost to build and maintain a fixed link not to mention the multitude of benefits such a visionary move would ensure. The view of moving people in our community off Bell Island is very akin to people feeling that Newfoundlanders should be moved from our island province. It will not happen. Our Newfoundland brothers and sisters are known world wide for their kindness to others--we are your fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians!!

Hop on board the Beaumont Hamel hop on board the Flanders too; they breakdown we get the Nonia what the HELL we s'posed to do?
Come on Province, time to invest into a decent set of ferries or begin the fixed link.

Thank the government for such a rag-tag fleet of ferries. Where did the billion dollar surplus go? We could have at least upgraded these junks to standards, but no Danny gave millions to NALCOR. Guess those millions were to purchase new software to increase the rates we pay. Way to go Danny. Have fun tonight on my dime at another event you have no rights to attend. This government is a disgrace at best.

So Proudtownie, instead of fixing all of the potholes we should close the streets down and refuse to offer work to anyone refusing to move off those streets? Did you see on the news this weekend where a woman died after walking 70 kms while her family waited 7 days in a car stuck on the road in a Northern Region? Are only the townies of this province and country to have the benefits that all of us pay taxes toward? It would be a good day when all the employers refused to offer work to those who are so closed minded as you.

I agree with Chris..these junky old ferries..why not build a bridge over there, it is not very far at all ..be over there in a couple of mins..probably even build a casino over there..i think it would be a win win for everybody!!

A fixed link to Bell Island would definitely increase traffic to and from that island because of ease of access. A casino would be a great idea for Bell Island to pay for the bridge, the road upgrades for that increased traffic and the extra development in infrastructure to support the growth which will surely occur. Also, if we build a fixed link to Bell Island, then we can take the unused ferries and use them in a ferry service to Kelly's Island. I'd be the first one to build a house there. I want to live on a small isolated island out in some bay like everyone else.

I've got a better idea. Over the next 5-10 years the province should provide financial assistance to anyone who wishes to move off that godforsaken island. After that, anyone left there is on their own. You want ferry service or a fixed link? Lots of luck.

I'm fed up listen to these Bell Islanders and every other Island around NL whining all the time about the ferry service. I think it's time to finish off what Joey forgot to do and that's resettle every Island around NL. and save the Gov't 100's of million of dollars annually. If I owned a business in St. John's or surrounding areas I would never hire some one from Bell Island. Not that their bad people but you never know if they are going to get into work because of unreliable ferry service.

There is a task force being struck to explore the feasibilty of having a fixed link to the local mainland. Our existing fleet will require replacement in next 5-10 years, if not sooner. If a fixed link were built, government would save on the subsidy currently paid as well as the many other cost savings to be gained by not having to provide our community with two ferries. The savings alone will pay for the cost to build and maintain a fixed link not to mention the multitude of benefits such a visionary move would ensure. The view of moving people in our community off Bell Island is very akin to people feeling that Newfoundlanders should be moved from our island province. It will not happen. Our Newfoundland brothers and sisters are known world wide for their kindness to others--we are your fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians!!

Hop on board the Beaumont Hamel hop on board the Flanders too; they breakdown we get the Nonia what the HELL we s'posed to do?
Come on Province, time to invest into a decent set of ferries or begin the fixed link.

Thank the government for such a rag-tag fleet of ferries. Where did the billion dollar surplus go? We could have at least upgraded these junks to standards, but no Danny gave millions to NALCOR. Guess those millions were to purchase new software to increase the rates we pay. Way to go Danny. Have fun tonight on my dime at another event you have no rights to attend. This government is a disgrace at best.

So Proudtownie, instead of fixing all of the potholes we should close the streets down and refuse to offer work to anyone refusing to move off those streets? Did you see on the news this weekend where a woman died after walking 70 kms while her family waited 7 days in a car stuck on the road in a Northern Region? Are only the townies of this province and country to have the benefits that all of us pay taxes toward? It would be a good day when all the employers refused to offer work to those who are so closed minded as you.

HBG

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